David Arkin could be Dallas' starting G in 2012
Earlier this week, we took a look at the first three picks the Cowboys made and analyzed how they fit into the big picture. They used their top pick to fill the most glaring need, and used their 2nd and 3rd picks to take high-upside players that fit the mold of what Jason Garrett wants to do with this team.
But the third day of the Cowboys draft may have been the best of all. While the first two days will ultimately determine whether this draft was a success or not, the Cowboys loaded up on high-character guys to fill needs on the roster.
Let’s take a look at the final rounds and how Dallas did.
4th Round, 110th pick: OG David Arkin, Missouri State
Measurables: 6-5, 300 lbs
2010 110th pick: S Darrell Stuckey, San Diego
Best 110th pick of last 10 years: CB Nathan Vasher, Chicago (2004)
Probably the most underrated pick in the entire draft, everything you read about Arkin is generally positive. He started and dominated all four years he was at Missouri State, winning awards every year. He has a mean streak and adds versatility to an offensive line in desperate need of it. He’s basically what Kyle Kosier is and can find himself as the Cowboys starting guard by 2012.
Small school guards are commonly overlooked, and Arkin can be what the Cowboys have been looing for in replacing Leonard Davis. The pick shows a shift in offensive line philosophy, as Garrett is showing a departure from the big, lumbering guards towards a more athletic and versatile guard that can pass block. This is a passing league, and protecting Tony Romo is priority No. 1.
Scott Wright, NFL Draft Countdown Scouting Report:
Strengths:
Has experience at guard and tackle. Great size. Thick thighs. Adequate strength and lateral quickness. Had a strong showing at the East-West Shrine Game. Anchors well. Has strong hands and uses them quickly. Does a good job of sustaining blocks.
Weaknesses:
Struggled early in the year at a new position as he would keep a poor base when drive blocking, didn’t always finish, and was too high on first contact to the second level. Needs to bend more. Lunges at defenders on the second level. Needs to get stronger.
Outlook:
Arkin has dominated his entire career at MSU and is one of the most versatile linemen in this draft with good tape at both tackle and guard for at least one full season. I like his ability to swing from guard and tackle as a backup early in his career and believe he could eventually start at guard with improved strength and some coaching. His ability at both positions could draw him up boards as high as 4th or 5th round.
What I love
Every strength plays exactly into what I want from an offensive lineman. His weaknesses are mainly from playing out of position his senior year to fill a need, which I feel dropped him down draft boards.
Possible red flags
He’s from a small school and hasn’t faced elite competition yet, so that’s a concern. Also, the Cowboys have drafted these types of linemen before (Robert Brewster), so he’ll have to earn it.
What Jason Garrett Says
“David Arkin is a smaller school guy from Missouri State. He played in some of the all-star games, and we really liked him. He has the measureables. We liked the tenacity with which he plays. He has some position flexibility and he’s one of those guys when you watch him play, he jumps out at you a little bit. The way he finishes the plays, how physically and aggressively he plays. And again, he has the measureables to play a couple of different spots on the offensive line.”
What he’ll be in 2011
Arkin will serve as a backup while he‘s coached on the intricacies of playing on an NFL line, but has potential to jump in midseason without causing a significant dropoff.
What he’ll be in 2016
Arkin could very well be a future G for the Cowboys. In fact, if we could assume Smith plays to his potential and Arkin steps in next season, we’ll have a completely rebuilt offensive line by 2012.
VIDEO:
Follow this link for a DraftNasty profile on Arkin about halfway in.
5th Round, 143rd pick: CB Josh Thomas, Buffalo
Measurables: 5-11, 190 lbs
2010 143rd pick: DE Larry Hart, Jacksonville
Best 9th pick of last 10 years: CB Orlando Scandrick, Dallas (2008)
The Cowboys needed a dime back, so they went out and drafted a tenacious local kid from Cedar Hill to fill that role. Thomas played three years at Buffalo with an eye for the ball and a willingness to put his shoulder down and tackle somebody, a fresh change of pace from Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins.
Thomas will come into training camp and compete with Scandrick for the nickel job. He won’t win and I really don’t feel Scandrick will lose it, but his presence brings competition to the Cowboys secondary, something it desperately needs. If he shows to be effective in kickoff coverages, he’ll stick around for a while.
Wes Bunting, National Football Post Scouting Report:
Possesses average size for the position, but exhibits a long set of arms and good natural bend when asked to sit into his stance. Will get a bit overextended at times in press coverage when asked to get into receivers, but for the most part has the quickness to mirror initially off the snap and press with the proper hand placement. Displays good balance in off coverage when asked to sit into his stance, has the ability to keep his feet under him, cleanly open up his hips and doesn’t lose much in the form of his transition when asked to run down the field. Possesses the footwork and body control to cleanly redirect and routinely is able to keep his feet under him. Can be a bit slow to recognize routes in zone coverage and needs to do a better job controlling the space in front of him in off man, sometimes gets too soft and gives up some easy completions underneath. However, possesses a good first step when asked to click and close, has a second gear when asked to track the football and is really rangy and explosive in space.
Love his toughness and willingness to tackle in the run game. Showcases good force when asked to attack downhill, isn’t afraid to create collisions on contact when taking on a lead blocker and works hard to fight his way off contact. Fights and scraps for every inch and does a nice job throwing his body around inside the box. Now, doesn’t consistently break down and will get a bit out of control at times, but at least showcases the fight to help out in the run game.
Impression: A bit raw in some aspects of the game, but his balance, body control, speed, fluidity and toughness are all traits that will serve him well. I like his upside enough to consider him a potential nickel/dime guy in the NFL.
What I love
He’s feisty and has the traits that make up successful NFL CBs. He’s not afraid to make a tackle and brings competition to the Dallas secondary.
Possible red flags
He played for a small school and works better as a man corner. He’ll probably be used in zone coverages in Dallas.
What Jason Garrett Says
“J.T. Thomas is a guy from Buffalo. Actually, he’s a local kid. We had him at the Dallas Day. Again, a guy who we like his measurables. He’s 5-11, close to 200 pounds, but also you like what he’s all about. He’s a physical corner, he tackles. He worked out really well for us at Dallas Day. A good combination of physical traits, and also the right kind of guy.”
What he’ll be in 2011
He’ll compete for a roster spot every week, so he’ll need to be good at kickoff coverage. If he can be effective, he’ll be worked in as a dime back in Rob Ryan’s defense.
What he’ll be in 2016
Tough to tell, but I’d say his upside is a Tracy Porter-type CB.
VIDEO: Watch No. 15
6th Round, 176th pick: WR Dwayne Harris, East Carolina
Measurables: 5-10, 203 lbs
2010 176th pick: QB Rusty Smith, Tennessee
Best 9th pick of last 10 years: QB Rusty Smith, Tennessee (2010)? He started a game last year...
The Cowboys let Patrick Crayton go before the season and it hurt. Having a slot guy that can catch passes over the middle was rare last season, so Harris could possibly bring that element to the offense. He’s a high-character guy that specialized as a possession receiver in East Carolina.
He caught 268 passes as a Pirate and was named the Conference USA MVP last season. He’s a guy who just kept producing during his college career, worthy of giving a chance in the 6th round.
Wes Bunting, National Football Post Scouting Report:
Possesses only average size, but has a strong, well-built frame and is a tough kid to get to the ground. Displays a good first step off the line and lacks ideal top-end speed. Is more quick than fast and isn’t a guy who will consistently be able to get behind defenders vertically. However, showcases the shiftiness to get opposing corners off balance vs. press coverage and uses his long arms and strong hands very well to slip press and get into his breaks. Is a very coordinated and fluid route runner who does a great job sharply and cleanly getting out of his breaks in the short/intermediate pass game and generating a burst for himself in order to separate. Accelerates quickly and has an initial burst to his game, giving him the ability to create after the catch. Is a patient route runner as well who doesn’t give his breaks away prematurely, has the body control and balance to snap off a route at full speed and consistently pluck the ball well away from his frame.
Possesses a long set of arms and strong hands, but at times will struggle to bring a throw in off his frame. Also, despite the fact he does a nice job recognizing the blitz and working as the hot man underneath, he needs to do a better job snapping his head around and locating the football quickly. Is a tough kid to bring down after the catch. Is powerful and shifty with the ball in his hands. A natural runner who knows how to break tackles, accelerate and run to daylight. Will finish runs and isn’t afraid to mix it up. Also works on special teams as a return man and his combination of acceleration, shiftiness and feel gives him a chance to return kicks in the NFL as well. Works from both the slot and on the outside, but seems better suited to play inside, set up corners and use his short-area quickness and fluid route-running ability to separate and create.
Impression: Isn’t a big-time draft pick because he lacks ideal size/speed numbers. But will find a home in the league and could contribute early for an NFL team from the slot/special teams.
What I love
He reads like a young Patrick Crayton and produced throughout his entire career in college. And being named the MVP of a mid-major conference tells me the guy can flat play.
Possible red flags
Not a very good route-runner for a potential slot WR and fumbled four times in 2010. He also had a tough Senior Bowl showing, which may or may not be worth anything.
What Jason Garrett Says
“Dwayne Harris is a receiver from East Carolina, a guy who was very productive for them both as an offensive player, but also a teams guy. Potential returner for us, but also contributes on teams in other ways. A physical guy. We’ve had receivers in our history here with the Cowboys who filled this kind of a role. A guy who can be productive on the offensive side of the ball, but physical and willing enough as a receiver to go out there and plays some teams for you.”
“We like Dwayne Harris. He’s a very versatile player like Mel [Kiper] was talking about. We like him as a receiver. He’s a productive receiver, he’s shown that throughout his career. But the other thing we like is we like what he does for our football team. On special teams he’s a guy who just shows up. We’ve tried to do a really good job to get the guys with the right measurables, getting the guys who have the right intabgible traits. We also want football players, and we think he fills the bill in all those categories.” Source: ESPN interview.
What he’ll be in 2011
He’ll be a special-teamer who’s going to challenge Kevin Ogletree as a fourth WR. The best way to get more playing time is to produce, and if he can get Romo to trust him, might find himself in the hearts of Cowboys fans everywhere.
What he’ll be in 2016
The Crayton comparisons are pretty accurate, but I see his upside as a productive Chris Chambers.
VIDEO: Watch No. 17
7th Round, 220th pick: FB Shaun Chapas, Georgia
Measurables: 6-2, 247 lbs
2010 220th pick: LB Jamar Chaney, Philadelphia
Best 9th pick of last 10 years: CB Blue Adams, Detroit (2003) Just a cool name.
After Gronkowski missed a block that ended Romo’s season, Garrett realized a true FB may prove roster-worthy. With his offensive schemes, Garrett could use a blocking FB who can catch flat and check-down passes. But he’ll be a special teams guy, and the back end of this draft proves the Cowboys’ priority in shoring up that glaring weakness last year.
Chapas was a team captain for Georgia and should be another high-character guy to the locker room.
Wes Bunting, National Football Post Scouting Report:
A taller fullback prospect who exhibits impressive flexibility and overall bend when asked to sit into his stance. Possesses an average first step when pressing the hole, but exhibits good body control and instincts as a lead blocker. Does a nice job quickly locating his target and deciphering information inside. Lacks ideal power/pop on contact and isn’t a guy who will consistently overwhelm defenders off the football. But is strong enough to initially create enough of a surge to seal his man from the play. Does a nice job breaking down in tight quarters, extending his arms and sealing on perimeter runs. Also, drops his pad level well into contact and looks natural cutting down defenders off his frame in space.
Isn’t as impressive as a motion man. Struggles to generate a real pop for himself at the point and it takes him awhile to uncoil his long frame in tighter areas. Has a tendency to get overextended in this area as well and will whiff on contact at the line. Demonstrates solid hands and can be a guy you can slip the football to out of the backfield, but is a limited athlete who isn’t going to create much after the catch.
Impression: Lacks elite power on contact, but has enough to initially seal, takes good angles and is a smart lead guy.
What I love
Team captain. Can run block. Can catch check down passes. That’s what I need.
Possible red flags
Not many red flags to watch out for in a 7th round FB, so he’ll just have to prove himself.
What Jason Garrett Says
“Shaun Chapas, fullback from Georgia, starter at fullback in the SEC. Big time program, big time competition every week. Has the measureables to play. A smart fullback, who can block, catch the football, has a good feel for playing, seeks out the linebackers, does his blocking assignments well, does a good job getting on them, effective in both the run game and the passing game.”
What he’ll be in 2011
Chapas will play on special teams and could possibly find his way into some of the packages Gronkowski found himself in last season.
What he’ll be in 2016
The Cowboys have been looking for a good FB for a while now and can’t seem to hit on one. If Chapas turns out to be good, he might stick around a while.
VIDEO: No. 49
7th Round, 252nd pick: C/G Bill Nagy, Wisconsin
Measurables: 6-3, 318 lbs
2010 252nd pick: LB Austin Spitler, Miami
Best 9th pick of last 10 years: WR Marques Colston, New Orleans (2006)
Projected to start at Wisconsin last fall, he got into a moped accident and missed three games. He was the odd man out from Wisconsin’s awesome offensive line last season, but being considered a starter before the season sounds good to me.
He’ll enter training camp fighting Phil Costa and Arkin for the backup spots on the line.
Bucky’s Fifth Quarter Scouting Report:
While Bill Nagy getting drafted was a pretty big surprise, I can see why the Cowboys took a chance on him with the third to last pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Nagy never reached his full potential at Wisconsin mainly because of a moped accident in the offseason before his junior year. Riding home one night, Nagy was blindsided by a car that ran a red light and he suffered a broken wrist, broken heel and ligament damage in his right foot. He was projected to start at guard that fall, but was severely limited and only managed to play in three games. Meanwhile, he was passed on the depth chart and as Wisconsin boasted one of the most dominant offensive lines in the country in 2010, Nagy was the odd man out at no fault of his own. Still a coach favorite, his versatility made him an ideal sixth man on the line and he ended up starting eight of the 13 games his senior year playing center, guard and even tight end/fullback.
At 6’3, 318, Nagy will probably never be more than a center in the NFL, but he may end up being a pretty solid backup who can stay on a roster for years. His versatility will likely make him a specialist off the bench. Who knows, he may even end up as a longsnapper. But who’s to say he can’t end up as a starter? It’s very possible Nagy’s best days are still ahead of him. He had an unlucky career at Wisconsin, but there’s little question he can play. Every time he stepped on the field, he was reliable. The Cowboys obviously did their homework on Nagy and he may end up being a sleeper.
What I love
He was supposed to start on Wisconsin’s offensive line, which is impressive enough. For a 7th-round pick, I’m okay with taking that flyer.
Possible red flags
Got into a moped accident, so it’s unclear whether that changed his game or not. But there aren’t red flags without high expectations.
What Jason Garrett Says
“Bill Nagy is a guy who we liked from Wisconsin, an interior lineman. A guy who, going into the ‘09 season in Wisconsin, was going to be a starter for them, got into a moped accident - was hit when he was riding his moped - and wasn’t able to play that year. Became a guy who was a backup going into this year because the guy who took his place became an established player. He got a chance due to injury to play about half the games this year, and really did a nice job.
Again, as an offensive lineman, you like how he plays, it jumps out at you when watch him, how he finishes, how he plays with some intensity and tenacity. So We really liked him as well. He’s a very athletic guy too, ran about as well as any of the interior linemen in the draft, so we liked him a lot.”
What he’ll be in 2011
Nagy will fight for a backup role in training camp.
What he’ll be in 2016
Who knows. But if he’s the sleeper Dallas thinks he is, we may have Andre Gurode’s replacement.
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